Summer Arts Preview: Anticipation for fun in the sun and under the stars
The summer of 2022 is fast approaching, after two uncertain pandemic years. We’re back – dare we say it? – some sense of normalcy this year. So get out the rosé, grab a picnic blanket, and enjoy some outdoor entertainment at these five venues.
Wolf Trap brings a summer season of excitement for all ages
Wolf Trap Summer 2022 shows are on sale now. Did your kids keep singing “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” from the latest Disney phenomenon Canto? Take them to Encanto: concert of films to sing August 11 at 7:30 p.m. On July 8, Pink Martini arrives in town, accompanied by the National Symphony Orchestra. Steve Martin and Martin Short end the summer with two performances in August of the comedy duo The funniest show in town right now. For more on Wolf Trap’s summer events, head over to https://www.wolftrap.org/.
Jazz in the Garden is finally back
After a cancellation in 2020 and a very short season in 2021, the National Gallery of Art’s Jazz in the Garden concert series is back! For over 20 years they have been a popular after-work picnic setting for summer Friday nights in the district. Some differences this year: limited capacity and registration in advance. Jazz is still the number one featured artist, but this year the series is branching out, featuring Afro-Brazilian, Global Psychedelia and more. To learn more about the Jazz in the Garden program, visit https://www.nga.gov/calendar/jazz.html.
Bourbon & Bluegrass at President Lincoln’s Cottage
The annual fundraiser for President Lincoln’s Cottage takes place May 21 and 22, with three performers performing each day. Of course, there will be plenty of bourbon and beer tastings, tours of the venue, pizza, ice cream, and whiskey cocktails. Best of all, you don’t even need a babysitter—kids six and under are free. Tickets cost between $35 and $80. More information on how to obtain tickets can be found at https://www.lincolncottage.org/.
End the summer with the DC JazzFest
The 18th annual DC JazzFest will be held August 31 through September 4 at District Wharf and other neighborhoods. This event marks a permanent shift at the end of summer, culminating on Labor Day weekend. Five full days of concerts will take place around town in over 12 DC neighborhoods, with the main event at District Wharf. Enjoy multiple waterfront stages and the international “DCJazzPrix” band competition at Union Stage. To find out more about the festival, go to https://www.dcjazzfest.org/.
Smithsonian Folklife Festival spotlights international culture
Each year, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival celebrates different international cultures. This year, the festival runs from June 22-26 and June 30-July 4. Discover the United Arab Emirates with “United Arab Emirates: Living Landscape / Living Memory”, a program that explores cultural traditions and highlights visions of a diverse, sustainable future. The program will follow a “majlis”, or an Emirati tradition of gathering and discussion. Also, don’t miss “Earth Optimism x Folklife: Inspiring Conservation Communities”. The event during the festival will inspire visitors to explore ways to address some of planet Earth’s greatest challenges, through new ways of learning, living and working for a sustainable future. To find out more about the Folklife festival, go to https://festival.si.edu/.
